The Effect of Oral Administration of PUFAs on the Matrix Metalloproteinase Expression in Gastric Adenocarcinoma Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Objective: Gastric cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer-related mortality and the fifth most common cancer globally. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are considered as functional ingredients that improve the efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of PUFAs administration on matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs).

Methods: This study was designed as a randomized, double-blind trial. Thirty-four newly diagnosed patients with gastric cancer were randomly divided into two groups: control group (n?=?17) and case group (n?=17). Both groups received the same dose (75?mg/m²) of cisplatin. Control group received cisplatin plus placebo and the case group received cisplatin plus PUFAs [3600?mg/day, for three courses (each course included 3 weeks)]. The mRNA and protein expression of MMPs determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC), respectively.

Results: The relative gene expression of MMP-1 and MMP-9 was significantly lower in case group than control. The protein expression of MMP-1 and MMP-9 was significantly lower in case group than control.

Conclusion: According to the results of this study, PUFAs reduced the expression of MMPs in gastric cancer cells. It seems that PUFAs may have an inhibitory effect on invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer cells.     

Two SARS-CoV-2 IgG immunoassays comparison and time-course profile of antibodies response

Introduction: The persistence of circulating antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 infection is not yet well known. We compare the results of 2 automated systems for the determination of IgG against SARS CoV-2 and assess the time-course of the IgG response. Methods: IgG were measured in 103 specimens of 55 patients with COVID-19 (time from the symptoms’ onset: 3–187 days) using the automated tests "Abbott SARS-COV-2 IgG" and "MAGLUMI 2019-nCoV IgG". Results: The 2 methods had a concordance of 90.3%, but the quantitative correlation, although significant, showed dispersed results. All the specimens resulted positive after 17 days. However, the median concentrations of IgG rapidly increased up to 20 days and decreased for Maglumi IgG while Abbott IgG showed a constant trend up to 85 days, and then slowly declined. Conclusions: The titer of IgG against SARS-CoV-2 may significantly and rapidly decrease, but with a very different time-course depending on the method used for the determination.     

Gender differences on benefits and risks associated with oral antithrombotic medications for coronary artery disease

Introduction: Despite the significant advances in the pharmacological and interventional management of patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) over the last decades, cardiovascular mortality remains the leading cause of death. Large randomized clinical trials have investigated the efficacy and safety of different antithrombotic medications in patients with CVD. Although female gender is generally underrepresented in these clinical trials, most analyses clearly indicate that both men and women may accrue therapeutic benefits from antithrombotic management strategies.

Areas covered: This review aims to provide a comprehensive and focused update on gender-related comparative clinical studies of antithrombotic therapies in patients suffering from CVD.

Expert opinion: Current evidence supports the understanding of a similar therapeutic effect between genders with signals of an increased risk of bleeding in women. However, important gaps in evidence exist due to the overall limited percentage of women that have been enrolled in randomized controlled trials. A greater awareness of gender-related issues in antithrombotic therapy should be promoted among physicians and further evidence from large clinical trials looking at the safety and efficacy balance of different antithrombotic strategies in women is warranted.